DR. MARLENA CORCORAN

Universities Don’t Just Admit Numbers.They Admit People.

For over 20 years, I’ve helped young people discover who they are and what they care about, guiding them to present themselves with confidence and authenticity to the world’s most selective institutions. Through Athena Mentor, I transformed the college admissions process into a journey of self-discovery, ensuring students not only gain admission to outstanding schools but arrive ready to thrive. Now, I bring this perspective to broader audiences, helping individuals and institutions reimagine how they prepare for what’s next.

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    AS SEEN IN

    Dr. Marlena Corcoran is a Contributor to Forbes.com in the area of international business education. She publishes advice on admissions to undergraduate business and master’s programs, including the MBA. She comments on current trends and breaking news in university admissions, and has a special interest in relations between traditional liberal arts education and preparation for careers in business. Below are links to some of her most popular articles.

    Work with Me

    • Speaking & Consulting

      Dr. Corcoran is a popular speaker at university associations, including those of Brown, Cornell, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania; at international schools; and at civic and parents' organizations. Learn more.

    • Personalized College Admissions Counseling

      Dr. Corcoran can help your teenager discover and strengthen their unique story. She has 25 years of experience advising domestic and international students and has a special interest in advising students on how to leverage the International Baccalaureate for applications to highly-selective colleges in the U.S., U.K. and Europe. Learn more.

    • Personalized MBA Admissions Counseling

      Get help to clarify your goals, find the right program and write compelling essays that make your best case to top master’s and MBA programs. Dr. Corcoran has a special interest in international and early-career business education. Learn more.

    Hi, I’m Dr. Marlena Corcoran.

    For over 20 years, I’ve helped young people discover who they are and what they really care about—and present themselves with confidence, enthusiasm and success to the most selective colleges in the world. During my many years of volunteer service interviewing and organizing interviews for my alma mater, Brown, I experienced firsthand that many applicants, especially first-generation and international students, had little idea how to present themselves effectively. I founded Athena Mentor to help students avoid the pitfalls of rushed, inadequate preparation, uncertainty about where to apply and why, and relying on numbers alone to make their case. Athena Mentor looks at the path to college as a journey of genuine discovery, at a time of life when young people are searching for meaning and purpose, as well as admission to an outstanding school that will bring out the best in them. Athena Mentor students arrive at excellent universities, excited to begin their studies and their lives.